Automatoys
Developer(s)Idle Friday
Designer(s)Steffan Glynn
Programmer(s)Steffan Glynn
Composer(s)Jake Gaule
EngineUnity
Platform(s)Android, iOS
ReleaseAndroid, iOS
  • WW: 18 August 2022
Genre(s)Puzzle

Automatoys is a 2022 mobile video game developed by Idle Friday. Described as a "unique, mechanical obstacle course", the game is a puzzle game in which the player guides a ball through a series of complex three-dimensional machines. The game was the first independent release of lead developer Steffan Glynn, a former member of State of Play Games.[1] Upon release, Automatoys received average reviews, with praise directed to the level design and gameplay, and criticism for the short length of the game.

Gameplay

Gameplay screenshot

The player guides a ball through a series of machines named Automatoys to reach the end of the course. The player activates, moves and tilts various items of machinery, including ramps and catapults, using a one-touch control method, with some mechanisms varied in intensity by pressing and holding.[2] The course features several obstacles that cause the ball to fall off, requiring the player to start again from the beginning. Completion of the levels provides players with a star ranking out of three depending on how quickly the players completed the level.[3] The game features twelve levels, with the first three levels being free to play, and the remaining nine available upon purchase of the game.[4]

Reception

Critics of Automatoys praised the game's design. Eurogamer commended the game's "complex" and "briskly mechanical" design and the introduction of "new gimmicks" and "new ideas" throughout the gameplay.[5] Touch Arcade described the game as "intricate and well-designed", noting its levels increased in complexity and challenge.[3] Pocket Gamer described the design of the Automatoys as "stunning", highlighting the "tactile" and "meticulous" nature of the levels and the "variety of mechanisms to figure out and experiment with".[4] Similarly, 148Apps described the game as a "tactile experience" and found the game to be well adapted to mobile controls, describing the game's controls to be satisfying and have "remarkable accuracy".[2]

However, several critics noted the game's short length. Pocket Gamer noted the "relatively few" levels in the game.[4] Touch Arcade assessed the game to be "on the shorter side", although noted it had "good replay value".[3] 148Apps described the game as "somewhat skin deep" and found the game to not be a "terribly long or challenging experience".[2]

Accolades

Automatoys was a finalist of the 'Interaction' category for iOS games at the 2023 Apple Design Awards.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Automatoys: Press Kit". Idle Friday. 2022. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Bird, Campbell (9 September 2022). "Automatoys Review". 148Apps. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 Nelson, Jared (27 August 2022). "TouchArcade Game of the Week: 'Automatoys'". Touch Arcade. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Dellosa, Catherine (21 September 2022). "Automatoys review - "Tactile fun from days long past"". Pocket Gamer. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  5. ↑ Donlan, Christian (24 August 2022). "Automatoys review - complex brilliance made tactile and delightful". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  6. ↑ "Apple announces winners of the 2023 Apple Design Awards". Apple. 6 June 2023. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
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